41 • 2006 Betz Bésoleil Grenache-Mourvèdre-Syrah, $55
Columbia Valley, Washington
Bésoleil is the Northwest’s version of wine from the Vacqueyras village in the Rhône.
Taste Plush, with a brooding darkness brought on by mourvèdre.
Sip tip Given its elevated alcohol, this is a good wine to drink when you’re not driving.
Cellar life 5+
42 • 2005 Amavi Cellars Syrah, $26
Walla Walla, Washington
French oak barrels helped soften this syrah for a year and a half before it was bottled.
Taste A near perfect balance of acidity, tannin, and toasty oak.
Sip tip Versatile, top-quality syrahs such as this make a welcome contribution to a potluck.
Cellar life 10+
h3. 43 • 2005 Cougar Crest Estate Syrah, $35
Walla Walla, Washington
Former pharmacist Deborah Hansen creates exacting wines with intense concentration. To this syrah she adds just 3 percent viognier to achieve a mild but lovely floral scent.
Taste Viscous, with an earthy finish.
Sip tip A hearty red to savor alongside stewed meats.
Cellar life 10+
44 • 2006 Brick House Boulder Block Pinot Noir, $45
Ribbon Ridge, Oregon
No chemical pesticides touch the skins of biodynamically grown Boulder Block grapes. The pure approach comes out
in the glass.
Taste Complex layers of fruit and herbs.
Sip tip Save it for at least eight years. This wine’s future is so bright, you’ll want to wear sunglasses when you open it.
Cellar life 10+
45 • 2006 Domaine Drouhin Arthur Chardonnay, $30
Dundee Hills, Oregon
This chard’s made from grapes grown exclusively on the Domaine Drouhin estate.
Taste Excellent balance of well-integrated oak-barrel-vanilla textures and apple-pear flavors.
Sip tip Drink this one on your last sail of the season.
Cellar life 5+
46 • 2005 DeLille Cellars Doyenne Aix Cabernet Sauvignon–Syrah, $38
Red Mountain, Washington
If you have a chance, stop by DeLille Cellars, the gorgeous Woodinville property where this juicy blend is produced.
Taste Intense, oaky; with black cherry flavors.
Sip tip “Doyenne” usually refers to the most mature woman in a group, but we say let ’er age about five years.
Cellar life 5+
47 • 2005 Woodward Canyon Artists Series Cabernet Sauvignon, $44
Columbia Valley, Washington
Artists Series had a lot to live up to after the widely lauded 2003 vintage, and the 2005 did not disappoint.
Taste Softer on the palate than Old Vines (our number-one wine); extremely plush.
Sip tip It will benefit from a few years’ bottle aging, but is approachable right now.
Cellar life 5+
48 • 2005 Betz Clos de Betz Merlot–Cabernet Sauvignon–Cabernet Franc–Petit Verdot, $40
Columbia Valley, Washington
It’s another outstanding wine from Bob Betz.
Taste Think of a bowl of dark cherries and ripe plums, all mashed together with some spring herbs.
Sip tip This wine will improve for the next couple of years in the bottle.
Cellar life 5+
49 • 2005 Reininger Seven Hills Vineyard Carmenère, $45
Walla Walla, Washington
The carmenère grape has proven to be well suited to the hills and sandy soil of Eastern Washington.
Taste Dark and tannic, a scent and taste of licorice; deep, smoky flavors.
Sip tip Carmenère’s naturally soft tannins make it a good wine to drink young.
Cellar life 5+
50 • 2006 Cristom Mt. Jefferson Cuvée Pinot Noir, $30
Willamette Valley, Oregon
This earthy pinot may inspire you to road trip it to Cristom’s winery on the southeast-facing slopes of the Eola Hills, where you can catch views of Mount Jefferson, the second—highest peak in Oregon.
Taste Elegant, complex, light in color.
Sip tip Toss a bottle in your pack next time you hit the trails. It is a wine inspired by a mountain, after all.
Cellar life 5+
Published: September 2008
